Top 10 Welsh spirits brands

Dydd Gŵyl Dewi Sant hapus! (Happy St David’s Day!)

While Wales might be quite a lot smaller than England and Scotland, its spirits brands are making a big impact.

If you’re looking for the perfect tipple to enjoy alongside your bara brith today, we’ve got some great suggestions.

From a vodka brand that was named one of the UK’s fastest-growing firms to companies helping to define the Welsh single malt whisky category, here are our top 10 Welsh brands.

Penderyn

Founded in 2000, Penderyn became the first Welsh whisky brand in 100 years when it opened its first distillery near the Bannau Brycheiniog National Park. It’s since added another two distilleries, in Llandudno and Swansea, with its original site being named the fifth-most-popular distillery in the UK.

As well as being a pioneer for the category, it also makes great liquid – it won two Golds and two Silvers at The World Whisky Masters 2023.

Au Vodka

Swansea-based Au Vodka has become known across the world for its colourful flavoured vodkas, offering everything from Pink Lemonade to Cosmic Berries. It was even named the internet’s second-most-popular spirit brand in 2022 – which was before it became a favourite of TikTok star Danielle Welsh.

It’s not been without its share of controversy, though. In 2023, it discontinued a gun-shaped product, although complaints about its bubblegum-flavoured expression were not upheld.

Cygnet 22

Swansea-based Cygnet Gin is backed by classical singer Katherine Jenkins, who claims that the expression’s ‘secret’ ingredient of Manuka honey is key to maintaining her voice.

While Jenkins is the founder and face of the brand, the singer leaves the distilling to Aster and Chris Sadler, who are sixth-generation distillers and brewers.

Portafortuna XO

While Welsh whisky brands have been working hard to develop the nation’s single malt category, one Welsh brand has instead been creating its own category: Portafortuna XO.

The Pembroke-based firm creates a fortified spirit that blends Port and brandy, with founder Owen James inspired to create the drink during dinner in Milan. While its grapes may not be grown or distilled in the country, its ingenuity can certainly be credited to Wales.

Bullion Rum

Also bringing a taste of the world to Wales is Bullion Rum, which imports spiced rum from Demerara in Guyana before it undergoes a fourth distillation at Hensol Castle Distillery.

The brand claims its pure Welsh water, which is filtered through the Bannau Brycheiniog National Park, is key to its ‘unique and delicious elixirs’ – which could explain why its Coconut and Java Banana expressions won Gold at The Rum & Cachaça Masters 2023.

In The Welsh Wind

The second whisky brand on our list prides itself on the fact that 100% of its barley is grown, malted and distilled in Wales. In The Welsh Wind was founded in a cowshed in 2018 before upgrading to a former pub in 2019 and expanding in 2021.

The brand has been selling gin, rum and vodka while waiting for its inaugural 100% Welsh whisky to be ready. The first release is expected to be bottled this spring.

Hensol Castle Distillery

One name that frequently comes up in the world of Welsh spirits is Hensol Castle Distillery, which works with a variety of brands (including Hive Drinks Co).

Alongside its contract bottling work, the company makes gin under its own name, with flavours including Wild Strawberry & Hibiscus, and Judge Jenkins Spiced Rum.

Aber Falls

Halewood Artisanal Spirits-owned Aber Falls opened its distillery in 2017 – and, although it was behind Penderyn by nearly two decades, it was thought to be the first distillery in North Wales in more than a century.

The brand debuted its first whisky in 2021, with the expression selling out in 40 minutes.

Silver Circle Distillery

Another ‘first’ for Wales came from Silver Circle, which claimed to have created the country’s first aquavit. While Norway may have established a geographical indication (GI) for its aquavit, Wales is still a little way off…

As well as its aquavit, Monmouthshire-based Silver Circle Distillery produces Wye Valley Gin and Black Garlic Vodka, as well as a canned Bloody Mary featuring the latter.

Mallows Distillery

Father and son Andy and Rhys Mallows are behind Mallows Distillery, which was founded in 2021. As well as contract bottling for international brands, Mallows produces what it claims to be Wales’ ‘first’ Bourbon, Charlie Parry’s, which is distilled and aged for two years in the US (as Bourbon regulations require) before being shipped to Wales, where it is blended with local water.